China Compulsory Certification (CCC) for Lighting Products: Scope, Annual Inspection & Factory Audit Requirements

China Compulsory Certification (CCC Certification) is a statutory market access requirement for lighting electrical products entering the Chinese domestic market. For lighting products, clear regulations have been established regarding their certification scope, annual confirmation inspection, and factory audit requirements. Below is a systematic organization and expanded explanation of relevant content, combined with current laws, regulations, and implementation rules.

I. Scope of Lighting Fixtures and Control Devices Requiring CCC Certification

1. Lighting Fixtures

The scope of lighting fixtures subject to CCC certification includes:

• Fixed general lighting fixtures, portable general lighting fixtures
• Portable lighting fixtures for children (with special safety requirements)
• Recessed lighting fixtures, floor-recessed lighting fixtures
• Night lights (often overlooked but within the mandatory scope)
• Aquarium lighting fixtures

2. Lamp Control Devices

The scope of lamp control devices subject to CCC certification includes:

• Inductive/AC electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps
• Inductive/AC electronic ballasts for HID lamps
• DC or AC electronic control devices for LED modules (i.e., LED drivers)

II. Requirements for Annual Confirmation Inspection Items

In accordance with the Implementation Rules for Compulsory Product Certification, after obtaining certification, manufacturing enterprises must conduct annual confirmation inspections to ensure products continue to meet standard requirements. The main inspection items include:

1. Grounding Continuity: Ensures the reliability of the lamp’s grounding circuit to prevent electric shock risks.
2. Electric Strength and Insulation Resistance: Verifies whether the dielectric strength meets safety standards.
3. Marking: Checks if product labels and nameplate content are standardized, durable, and clearly visible.
4. Tensile Test: For cord-connected lamps, verifies the mechanical firmness of the cord connection.
5. Distance Between Lamp Control Devices and Mounting Surfaces: Prevents safety hazards caused by overheating.
6. Heat Resistance and Fire Resistance: Evaluates the thermal stability and flame-retardant properties of key insulating materials.

Enterprises must entrust qualified laboratories to conduct inspections and retain complete records for future reference.

III. Coverage Principles for Factory Audits

The factory’s quality assurance capability is the core of CCC certification audits, with the following coverage principles:

1. Factory audits must cover all applied/certified products and their manufacturing sites, including OEM/ODM factories.
2. Under the same factory identification code, if similar products have already obtained valid certification, duplicate audits of the factory’s quality assurance capability and product consistency can be exempted—realizing the principle of “coverage for the same factory and same product category.”

(Note: Specific factory identification codes and detailed coverage rules shall be implemented in accordance with the latest guidelines issued by the certification authority.)

IV. Overview of the CCC Certification Application Process

1. Application Preparation

Enterprises need to submit product descriptions, technical documents, process flowcharts, and other materials, and select a certification body qualified for lighting product certification.

2. Type Test

Samples are sent to designated laboratories for full-item testing in accordance with standards such as the GB 7000 series, covering safety, EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), and other aspects.

3. Factory Audit

The certification body dispatches auditors to the production site to inspect the quality management system, production process control, testing equipment, and other aspects.

4. Certification Evaluation and Certificate Issuance

After passing the audit, the certification body conducts a comprehensive evaluation, issues the CCC certificate, and includes the product in the public announcement system of the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA).

5. Post-Certification Supervision

Enterprises must accept annual supervision and audits (including product sampling and factory inspections) to ensure continuous compliance with certification requirements.

GTG Group Reminder

CCC certification for lighting products involves a wide range of products and complex technical details. GTG Group has rich certification experience in mandatory lighting electrical products and can provide one-stop solutions—from standard interpretation, testing and certification to factory audit guidance—to help your products enter the market efficiently and in compliance. For any certification inquiries, please feel free to contact GTG’s professional team for support!